The bus looked to be about half full, the driver wearing a bandanna stretched across his nose and mouth to comply with government recommendations intended to help slow the spread of coronavirus. But among the awaiting passengers, only one wore a face covering.

“I’m damn nervous,” said Kiki Williams, 19. “There’s too many of us.”

For protection, the women, who are African American, wore blue rubber gloves but no masks. “We forgot them at home,” said Trinity Williams, 18.

Like millions of Americans, the Williams sisters depend on public transit at a time when health officials have told Americans to stay 6 feet